Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Albert Schweitzer Philosopher

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: France
  • Born: Jan 14, 1875
  • Died: Sep 4, 1965

Albert Schweitzer, OM was a German—and later French—theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary in Africa, also known for his interpretive life of Jesus. He was born in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire, considered himself French and wrote mostly in French. Schweitzer, a Lutheran, challenged both the secular view of Jesus as depicted by historical-critical methodology current at his time in certain academic circles, as well as the traditional Christian view.

He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize for his philosophy of "Reverence for Life", expressed in many ways, but most famously in founding and sustaining the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, now in Gabon, west central Africa. As a music scholar and organist, he studied the music of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach and influenced the Organ reform movement.

The great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up.

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.

Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth.

Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now - always.

The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.

Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.

By respect for life we become religious in a way that is elementary, profound and alive.

Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.

A great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up.

I wanted to be a doctor that I might be able to work without having to talk because for years I had been giving myself out in words.

One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.

Let me give you a definition of ethics: It is good to maintain and further life it is bad to damage and destroy life.

Example is leadership.